Sudiksha Konanki search: Dominican Republic guest claims resort gave no info about beach
A recent traveler who was at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on the same day University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki disappeared is speaking out about the lack of communication from the hotel regarding beach safety. D’Lani Sweeney, who stayed at the resort during the same time as Konanki’s disappearance, told NewsNation that there was no guidance or warnings given to guests about the potential dangers of the ocean.
Sweeney recalled that the waves at the beach were unusually large and she made the decision not to swim in the ocean due to the rough conditions. She noted that there were fewer people in the water than usual, and no clear instructions from the resort staff about beach safety. The only instance of security intervention she witnessed was one night when a security guard whistled at people to come back from the beach.
In addition to the lack of communication about beach safety, Sweeney mentioned other issues she experienced during her stay at the resort, including prolonged power outages. She stated that the power outages led to problems with room access, forcing some guests to sleep in common areas due to the lack of air conditioning in their rooms.
A video captured by Sweeney showed a red flag posted at the beach, warning swimmers of rough conditions in the water. She believes that the challenging circumstances at the resort may have prompted guests like Konanki to spend more time at the beach than normal.
When asked about the claims, RIU Hotels did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, they released a statement expressing concern for Konanki’s disappearance and stating that they are fully committed to assisting in the situation. The resort operator also mentioned that an emergency protocol has been activated and they are cooperating with authorities in the search for Konanki.
Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh junior, was last seen entering the beach early Thursday morning and may have drowned, according to law enforcement sources. Dominican police are investigating one of Konanki’s friends and are looking into claims made by a “young man” who was in the water on the day of her disappearance.
As the search for Konanki continues, authorities are considering all possibilities, including foul play. Konanki, who is originally from India but is a legal permanent U.S. resident, was last seen wearing a brown bikini, hoop earrings, bracelets, and an anklet. She is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance is ongoing, and the resort operator is providing support to the authorities. The safety and well-being of guests are their highest priority, and they are working to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to assist in the situation.
